Western Conference Playoff Report: April 9th

Posted on Apr 09, 2014

Dallas takes care of business and the stretch run begins.

Can you guys believe that one week from tonight the NBA's regular season ends? Really no reason to get all weepy now though as the next 8 nights are probably going to be ridiculous night after ridiculous night.

So lets all dig in, band together and fly wildly and aimlessly towards our goal like an Ish Smith three point attempt.

Tuesday April 8th Key Western Conference Results:

Dallas Mavericks 95 Utah Jazz 83 (Recap) - Dallas made 94.1% of their shots in the 1st quarter (16/17) on their way to a 39-25 lead and never looked back. Dirk Nowitzki shockingly lead the Mavericks with 21 points (on 9/11 shooting) and in the process passed Oscar Robertson for 10th on the NBA's all-time scoring list - which is insane. 5 other Mavericks scored in double figures - including the apparently flame retardant Vince Carter who scored 13.

The Mavs now have just three games remaining in their season starting with the Tony Parker-less Spurs on Thursday. At least the Jazz will no longer figure in the playoff race.

Current Western Conference Standings:

TEAM

W

L

PCT

GB

L10

STREAK

1.San Antonio

60

18

.769

-

8-2

LOST 1

2. Oklahoma City

56

21

.727

3.5

7-3

WON 1

3. LA Clippers

55

23

.705

5

7-3

WON 1

4. Houston

52

25

.675

7.5

7-3

WON 3

5. Portland

50

28

.641

10

6-4

WON 1

6. Golden State

48

29

.623

11,5

7-3

WON 2

7. Dallas

48

31

.608

12.5

7-3

WON 4

8. SUNS

46

31

.597

13.5

8-2

WON 2

- Memphis

45

32

.584

14.5

5-5

LOST 1

Wednesday April 9th Western Conference Games of Significance:

Suns @ Pelicans - Yes it's a road game, and yes the Pelicans have one of the 10 best players in the NBA, but no - there is no excuse for the Suns losing this game. Eric Gordon continues to be out for New Orleans and considering that he had 21 points on 7/10 shooting the last time our teams played I'm booking this as a good thing. As for the aforementioned top 10 player in the NBA - he's been dealing with back spasms and Monty Williams seemed to acknowledge he wasn't his normal self in the Pelicans last game.

Reports suggest Davis will play through the pain tonight but as a concerned citizen I would suggest he go ahead and take the night off.

Heat @ Grizzlies - Unlike many people, I actually really like the Miami Heat. I credit it to such a ridiculous amount of hate being thrown the way of LeBron James - a once in a generation player - that I can't help but adopt the contrarian position. But even if you hate the Heat you sure as hell better be rooting for them tonight. After this game Memphis has walk over dates with the 76ers and Lakers before coming to the Valley next Monday. If Memphis loses to Miami and the Suns take care of all Pelican related business, the Suns will have a 2 game lead with 4 to play.

Dwayne Wade probably remains out for the Heat but hopefully they come in motivated as their lead on Indiana for the top seed in the East is just half a game after Miami's loss to Brooklyn last night.